Shelby Knoll came to Richmond from the Castlemaine Football Club with high hopes and expectations.

However, she hasn't played a competitive game since September 2022, in a Grand Final appearance for Castlemaine.

Knoll was set to spend the 2023 season at VFLW club Casey Demons before the Tigers elevated her straight into the AFLW. Unfortunately, in December of 2023, she was struck down with an ACL injury, ruling her out of the 2024 AFLW season. 

Knoll also faced setbacks with her hamstring, forcing her into more rehabilitation, while still recovering from her ACL. The days without playing a game continued to pile up.

Now, more than 1000 days on, she's finally preparing for her first proper run in the yellow and black, as she readies herself for a 2025 debut.

Richmond Media sat down with the 24-year-old to see how she's travelling during AFLW pre-season, and to discuss her ventures to Adelaide to get some extra football under her belt before the season proper.

RICHMOND MEDIA: Obviously your first season in the yellow and black didn't go to plan, how are you feeling as you reset for 2025?

SHELBY KNOLL: It was disappointing, the season not going to plan, and missing back-to-back seasons.

I feel really hungry this season, I feel really reset and readier than ever to go. I'm really excited to crack in and give it my all this year.

RM: You've been through a lot of rehab, how have you found it going through the experience with others around the Club?

SK: Rehab is really isolating, but having people in the rehab group has made a massive difference.

The Club do it really well. Even though you're in rehab and isolated away from the team, everyone still gets around you and checks in. We have some really good resources, too.

It sucks to be there, but we are still really lucky to be in that environment and have the resources we have.

RM: We just returned from pre-season camp across Wodonga and Wangaratta, how important was that experience to help the group gel ahead of the season proper?

SK: Pre-season camp is fun. It's a really good off-field opportunity to connect, especially the new players.

It was a great time going to communities, schools, local footy clubs, allowing us to build that further connection within our team.

RM: Rehab isn't always fun, how did you keep those negative thoughts at bay and find the positives in recovery?

SK: It's been really hard. It's been a challenge.

The biggest thing I've learnt is staying present in the moment and not getting too caught up in the highs and too caught up in the lows. Just staying present and focusing on the goals.

It's not about the timeline, it's about the goals and learning to ride those waves, but not too high or low.

RM: The Tiger Army are yet to see you pull on the yellow and black, can you tell us what you bring to the team and what's unique about your game?

SK: I'm a key forward, so that aerial competitiveness and contest ability is my strength.

I bring a lot of energy and definitely kick goals. I wouldn't be a forward if I didn't say I kick lots of goals.

RM: Now that you're feeling more established at the Club and there's a path back to play, what are your own personal goals and expectations for the 2025 season?

SK: The obvious goal for me is to earn my debut and play with this team.

I've known my teammates for so long now, but I haven't actually contributed on field. I'm very excited to be able to do that this year and earn that level of trust.

I want to give back to the Club and the team, and show why I was drafted here, rather than just the off-field stuff.

RM: You're going to Adelaide over the next few weeks to play for SANFL Club, West Adelaide, as a way to get some match fitness. Can you explain how important that is, considering you haven't played footy in over 1000 days?

SK: I spent five weeks in Adelaide, before pre-season, with West Adelaide. I was over there in preparation to play games. I didn't get to play any games at that time, due to a hamstring setback.

Now that my body is ready and I'm fit enough, I'm going over to play on Saturday with West Adelaide, to get myself ready for my first proper AFLW season.

It's been a long time since I've played, over 1000 days since my last official game. I'm keen to get into the group, get back playing, get my mind and body ready.

They've got three games left before finals, so hopefully I'll play managed minutes across all three games.

West Adelaide, they're such an incredible Club, with such a similar culture to Richmond. They're welcoming and I've really integrated into their program. They have taken me under their wing and accepted me. I'm just so excited to play with them.

Richmond's AFLW season gets underway against Sydney on Friday 15 August at North Sydney Oval.